Murdoch Family Locked in Legal Battle Over Control of Conservative Media Brands
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Rupert Murdoch is reportedly engaged in a legal battle with three of his children, who are attempting to stop him from passing control of his news media empire to his most conservative son.
The Details: The Murdoch family’s substantial stakes in Fox and News Corp — parent companies of Fox News (Right bias) and papers like The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) and the New York Post (Lean Right bias) — are held in a trust that would give control to Murdoch’s four children. However, the elder Murdoch stepped down as chair of both companies in November 2023 and reportedly moved to amend the trust to give control of the media companies to his most conservative son, Lachlan. A “secret” legal battle ensued as the other three children fought to stop the amendment.
For Context: The outcome of the legal battle could impact the future of mainstream conservative media brands. While the other three children are known for being politically moderate, Lachlan — now the sole chair at News Corp and executive chair and CEO at Fox — is known for his conservatism, including his defense of a Tucker Carlson segment on replacement theory. The family’s past drama is known for inspiring the popular HBO show, “Succession.”
How the Media Covered It: The New York Times (Lean Left bias) first reported the story based on a sealed court document obtained by the newspaper. Coverage was rare among right-rated outlets but common among left and center-rated outlets; while The Wall Street Journal covered the story, Fox News and the New York Post did not.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
The Secret Battle for the Future of the Murdoch Empire
Rupert Murdoch is locked in a secret legal battle against three of his children over the future of the family’s media empire, as he moves to preserve it as a conservative political force after his death, according to a sealed court document obtained by The New York Times.
Mr. Murdoch, 93, set the drama in motion late last year, when he made a surprise move to change the terms of the Murdochs’ irrevocable family trust to ensure that his eldest son and chosen successor, Lachlan, would remain in charge of...
From the Center
Rupert Murdoch Plan to Give Control to Son Lachlan Triggers Family Legal Battle
Rupert Murdoch is engaged in a legal fight with some of his children, as he tries to hand control of his media empire to his eldest son, Lachlan, a battle with major ramifications for the future of the mogul’s two companies.
Murdoch, 93 years old, controls a trust that holds the family’s substantial stakes in News Corp NWSA 1.06%increase; green up pointing triangle, parent of The Wall Street Journal, and Fox News parent Fox Corp. Under its terms, when Murdoch dies, voting control would pass to four children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence.
Recently, the elder...
From the Right
Rupert Murdoch, 93, is locked in legal battle with his four eldest children over the future of his media empire
Rupert Murdoch is involved in a legal battle with his children over his plans to hand over his global media empire to son Lachlan, according to a report.
The fight for power between the 93-year-old mogul's four eldest children appeared to be decided when Lachlan emerged as the designated heir.
But Murdoch is now fighting to extend his eldest son's voting power in the Murdoch Family Trust, the New York Times reported.
The mogul, 93, is in a legal battle against three of his children to ensure that his eldest son and chosen...
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